Kids love video games, and kids love dogs, so Sega Toys and Activision Publishing have combined the two in Wappy Dog, a virtual pet game for the Nintendo DS that's a little less virtual, thanks to the bundled dog robot.

Teach your kids how to raise their own puppy without worrying about silly things like dead puppies all over the place, thanks to Wappy Dog, the robotic puppy with the adorably stupid name. Kids will feed, care for, and play with this cold, lifeless creature, its artificial personality slowly developing over time depending on how it's treated.

Wappy can communicate with children via the Nintendo DS, its barks translated on the fly. Does he want to play? Do he want to sing and dance for you, like some kind of clown? Is he hungry for human flesh? Wappy Dog will let you know.

"We were excited about Wappy Dog from the moment we saw it," said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "This one-of-a-kind toy and video game combines a strong emotional bond and exciting virtual experience with the interaction of a physical pet. Wappy Dog is a truly innovative next generation toy and video game that gives kids an instant companion."

It's actually a rather brilliant idea, like R.O.B. the robot from the early NES days, only a great deal cuter. Look for him under my Christmas tree this holiday season.